Thermodynamic based comparison of sorption systems for cooling and heat pumping

A comparison of thermodynamic performances of sorption systems (liquid abso rption, adsorption, ammonia salts and metal hydrides) is carried out for ty pical applications (deep-freezing, ice making, air-conditioning and heat pu mping) with either air-cooled or water-cooled heat sink. The results are gi ven in terms of cooling coefficient of performance (COP) (heating COP or co efficient of amplification (COA) for the heat pump), cooling (heating) powe r versus reactor volume or weight and thermodynamic efficiency. LiBr-water systems show the best results for air-conditioning except when small units are required (metal hydride systems lead to more compact units). Other syst ems, however, show better results for other applications (chemical reaction with ammonia salts for deep-freezing, adsorption for heat pumping). (C) 19 98 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.